Bestow Through Story: A Guided Reflection for Writers, Journalers, and Creative Souls
Daily Nourishment Read Time: 30 seconds
Pause/Prompt/Practice Time: 15 minutes
“Since humanity’s beginning, every generation has recognized stories’ power to help us learn vital lessons, preserve cultural wisdom, and puzzle answers to knotty questions.”
-Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life
Pause.
Sit in silence while taking a four deep breaths. Use the words below for a breath prayer or breath meditation on each of the inhales:
Inhale: My story matters.
Exhale.
Inhale: Our stories matter.
Exhale.
Inhale: My story matters.
Exhale.
Inhale: Our stories matter.
Exhale.
Repeat if you like.
Prompt.
Read this quote from the “Bestow Through Stories” section of Spiritual Direction for Writers:
“Books matter because stories are fundamental to human survival and flourishing. Since humanity’s beginning, every generation has recognized stories’ power to help us learn vital lessons, preserve cultural wisdom, and puzzle answers to knotty questions. Through stories, we grow our belongings and process our personal and collective experiences, finding that profound relief of recognition: ‘Oh, I’m not the only one who feels this way.’”
And one more quote from the book:
“Consider one of Christianity’s most-told stories: the eucharistic narrative. Sometimes, when I receive Communion at church, I reflect on how the story of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection contains all elements of a complete narrative arc—problem, guide, hero, transformation, defeat, and surprising victory. But at its heart, it’s also a story of bestowing. The story of Jesus’s death and resurrection is bestowed in the eucharistic prayer, and the bread and wine are bestowed as a material token of Jesus’s ongoing presence with us.”
-Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life
Practice.
Set a timer for 10 minutes and respond to the quotes above and the reflection prompts and questions below.
Which stories have helped you survive and flourish over the years?
What are your personal stories of surviving and flourishing?
What good things do stories bestow on you?
What stories do you want to bestow on others?
How do reading, writing, and/or journaling give you good things for your heart, mind, and soul?
Want More?
Read Spiritual Direction for Writers: Everyday Rituals for Your Writing Life.
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Flourish Anyway with Rhythms, Rituals, & Retreats
Today’s Daily Nourishment was provided by Charlotte Donlon. See more of Charlotte’s writing, work, and offerings at Flourish Anyway®.